Author: J.D. Salinger Major Characters: Holden Caulfield - Holden Caulfield is the main character and narrator of the story. The story consists of what he is telling a psychologist about several days that Holden spent in New York after being dismissed from Pencey Prep School. During the time he talks about he had been having a nervous breakdown. The death of his brother Allie, which he blames himself for, has made him depressed and …showed first 75 words of 697 total…

…showed last 75 words of 697 total…dangerous place), and he pretty much has to fend for himself. Allie’s death was a turning point in Holden’s life. Relevance to History: This is one of the few books that is read in American Studies purely for its value as literature, as the events of the book do not reflect the times. The only exception to this is the book’s value in a discussion of the history of censorship of literature.